Google Awards $1M to U. Of Sydney to Develop AI Solution to Prevent Heart Attacks
Summary
The University of Sydney’s Westmead Applied Research Centre has been awarded $1M as part of Australia’s inaugural Google.org AI Impact Challenge prize to develop a customized digital health solution powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce the risk of heart attacks. The digital health program, initially centered around Western Sydney health services, will deliver tailored advice and nudges using machine learning to participants who have presented at hospital with chest pain, harnessing their digital footprint to reduce the risk of a heart attack. By combining AI-driven clinical and consumer-derived data from apps and wearables devices, it is believed the accuracy of heart risk assessment will be improved. University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence stated the award would add to the body of work over the longer term for the Westmead Precinct in becoming a global center of excellence (COE) in innovation, healthcare, wellbeing and education, including the University’s second major campus comprising some 25,000 students by 2050. Participation is voluntary and will be offered as an option for patients who could benefit; personal information and health data protection are covered by Commonwealth and State legislation.